Intel 946GZ User manual

USER'S MANUAL
Of
Intel 946GZ Express Chipset
&
Intel FW82801GB ICH Chipset
Based
M/B ReadyFor LGA 775 Core™Quad
Processor
No. G03-946GZM3-F
Rev: 1.0
Release date: May, 2008
Trademark:
* Specifications and Information contained in this documentation are furnished for information use only, and are
subject to change at any time without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by manufacturer.

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ii
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION OF INTEL 946GZ MOTHERBOARD SERIES
1-1 FEATURES OF MOTHERBOARD.................................................................................... 1
1-1.1 SPECIAL FEATURES OF MOTHERBOARD.................................................... 2
1-2 SPECIFICTION................................................................................................................... 
1-3 ITEM CHECKLIST..............................................................................................................3
1-4 LAYOUT DIAGRAM ........................................................................................................... 4
CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-1 INSTALL LGA 775 SUPPORTED INTEL PROCESSOR................................................ 5
2-2 INSTALL MEMORY............................................................................................................ 6
2-3 EXPANSION CARDS........................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER 3 CONNCTORS, HEADERS & JUMPERS SETTING
3-1 CONNECTORS..................................................................................................................... 8
3-2 HEADERS.............................................................................................................................. 11
3-3 JUMPE SETTING................................................................................................................. 14
CHAPTER 4 USEFUL HELP
4-1 HOW TO UPDATE BIOS..................................................................................................... 15
4-2 TROUBLE SHOOTING....................................................................................................... 15
Environmental Protection Announcement
Do not dispose this electronic device into the trash while discarding. To minimize pollution
and ensure environment protection of mother earth, please recycle.
TABLE OF CONTENT

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1
Chapter 1
Introduction of Intel 946GZ + ICH7 Motherboard Series
1-1 Features of motherboard
The Intel 946GZ+ ICH7 chipset motherboard series are based on the latest Intel 946GZ
Express Chipset technology which supports the innovative 65nm and 90nm Dual-Core Intel®
Pentium® D Processor 8 and 9 Series, Intel® Pentium® D Processor, and Intel® Core 2
Duo® (Code Name: Conroe) Processor with Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology. The
motherboard is optimized to deliver innovative features and professional desktop platform
solution with the advantages of the new generation dual core Intel® Core 2 Duo® Processor for
those who demand the best experience of personal computing. Through the high bandwidth of
dual channel DDR2 667/DDR2 533MHz/DDR2 400MHz system memories which are
expandable to 4 GB and the next generation PCI Express interface for the latest graphics cards
from both NVIDIA & ATI.
The Intel 946GZ + ICH7chipset motherboard series for Intel® Core 2 Duo® Processor are
absolutely the cost-effective solution for game enthusiasts and applications, and it also meets
the demanding usage of computing of gaming, multimedia entertainment and business
applications. Moreover, the Intel 946GZ express chipset incorporates Intel Graphics Media
Accelerator 3000 to provide you incredible visual quality, faster graphics performance and
flexible display options without the need for a separate graphics card.
The motherboards implement Intel 946GZ+ ICH7 Express Chipset which supports Front Side
Bus 1333MHz of data transferring and offers with 667MHz memory clock frequency for Dual
channel DDR2 400/DDR2 533/DDR2 667 MHz memory DIMMs to double the performance
of memory access. The motherboard is embedded with ICH7 chipset of providing one parallel
Ultra ATA 100 interface for one IDE drives and four serial ATA2 interface of 3Gb / s data
transfer rate for four serial ATA devices.
The 946GZ + ICH7 motherboard series offer one PCI-Express x16 graphics slot of 4Gbyte/sec
data transfer rate at each relative direction which gets 3.5 times of bandwidth more than AGP
8X and it’s up to a peak concurrent bandwidth of 8Gbyte/sec at full speed to guarantee the
ultimate GPU computing performance. Two 32-bit PCI slots guarantee the rich connectivity
for the I/O of peripherals. The motherboards are designed of tackling the profuse multimedia
requirements nowadays.
The motherboards provide 10 Mbit / 100Mbit Ethernet compatible LAN function by using the
Realtek RTL8102E10/100 PCI-E LAN chip. And the embedded ALC662 chipset fully
compatible with Sound Blaster Prostandards with providing 6-channel Azalia HD CODEC
offers you with the home cinema quality and satisfying software compatibility.
Embedded USB controller as well as capability of expanding to8 of USB2.0 functional ports
delivering 480Mb/s of rich connectivity, these motherboards meet the demands of future USB
peripherals which are also equipped with hardware monitor function on system to monitor
and protect your system and maintain your non-stop business computing.

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Some special features---CPU Thermal Throttling/CPU Smart Fan in this motherboard are designed
for power user to use the over-clocking function in more flexible ways. But please be caution that the
over-clocking maybe causes the fails in system reliabilities. This motherboard provides the guaranteed
performance and meets the demands of the next generation computing. But if you insist to gain more
system performance with variety possibilities of the components you choose, please be careful and
make sure to read the detailed descriptions of these value added product features, please get them in
the coming section.
1-1.1 Special Features of Motherboard
CPU Thermal Throttling Technology--- (The CPU Overheat Protection
Technology)
To prevent the increasing heat from damage of CPU or accidental shutdown while at high
workload, the CPU Thermal Throttling Technology will force CPU to enter partially idle
mode from 87.5% to 12.5% according to preset CPU operating temperature in BIOS (from 40
to 90). When the system senses the CPU operating temperature reaching the preset
value, the CPU operating bandwidth will be decreased to the preset idle percentage to cool
down the processor. When at throttling mode the beeper sound can be optionally selected to
indicate it is in working.
CPU Smart Fan---( The Noise Management SystemOnly support 4-pin CPU cooler)
It’s never been a good idea to gain the performance of your system by sacrificing its acoustics.
CPU Smart Fan Noise Management System is the answer to control the noise level needed for
now-a-day’s high performance computing system. The system will automatically increase the
fan speed when CPU operating loading is high, after the CPU is in normal operating condition,
the system will low down the fan speed for the silent operating environment. The system can
provide the much longer life cycle for both CPU and the system fans for game use and
business requirements.

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1-2 Specification
Spec Description
Design ∗Micro u-ATX form factor 4 layers PCB size: 24.5x18.0 cm
Chipset ∗Intel 946GZ Memory Controller Hub (MCH) Chipset
∗Intel 82801GB I/O Controller Hub (ICH7) Chipset
CPU Socket
(LGA775 )
∗Support Intel Pentium 4, Celeron D, Pentium D, and Core 2 Duo
775-Land LGA Package utilizes Flip-Chip Land Grid Array (FCLGA)
package processor
∗Support FSB Frequency 1333MHz
∗Suggest the power of the CPU should be below 65w
Memory Socket ∗Support Dual channel DDR2 400/DDR2 533/DDR2 667 MHz RAM
Module and which is expandable to4GB.
x
Expansion Slots ∗PCI-Express x16 slot 1pcs delivers up to 8 GB/s of concurrent bandwidth.
∗32-bit PCI slot x 2pcs at 133MHz
Integrate IDE and
Serial ATA2
∗One PCI IDE controller that supports PCI Bus Mastering, ATA PIO/DMA
and the ULTRA DMA 33/66/100 functions that deliver the data transfer
rate up to 100 MB/s; four Serial ATA2 ports provide 3 Gb /sec data
transfer rate.
Integrated VGA ∗Integrated Graphic Media Accelerator 3000 in 946GZ Express NB chipset.
LAN
∗Integrated Realtek RTL8102E 10M/100M PCI-E LAN chip.
∗Support Fast Ethernet LAN function of providing 10Mb / 100Mb
6CH-Audio ∗Realtek 6-channel ALC662Audio Codec onboard
∗Audio driver and utility included
BIOS ∗Award 4MB Flash ROM
Multi I/O ∗PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse connectors
∗Floppy disk drive connector x1 &Hard disk drive connector x 1
∗Serial Port Connector x1
∗VGA Connector x1.
∗USB 2.0 connector x 4, headers x4
∗RJ45 LAN Connector x1
∗Parallel header x1
∗HDMI-SPDIF header x1
∗6-channel Audio connector (Line-in, Line-out, MIC)
1-3 Item Checklist
5Intel 946GZ Platform Processor Chipset based motherboard
5Intel 946GZ Platform Processor Chipset motherboard User’s Manual
5Cable for IDE
5Cable for Serial ATA Port
5CD for motherboard utilities
5I/O Back panel Shield

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1-4 Layout Diagram
Intel 946GZ Chipset
ATX Power
Connector
CPU Socket mPGA775
DDR2
DIMMx2
USB Port
(USB2, USB3)
4MBit Flash BIOS
ALC662 6-CH
Audio Codec
32-bit PCI Slots
COM Port
K
B
/
MSPower ON
Jumper (JP1)
USB Port
PS2 KB
Mouse Port
Audio Connector
Front Panel Audio
Realtek RTL8102
E
ATA100
IDE Connector
Serial-ATA2
Connector
(SATA1, 2, 3, 4)
PS/2 Keyboard
SYSFAN2
PCI Express x16
VGA Connector
CPU FAN
SYSFAN1
Parallel HeaderFloppy Connector
Intel 82801 GB Chipset
Clear COMS (JBAT)
COM
PS/2 Mouse
VGA USB1
LAN
USB Port
MIC IN
Line IN
Line OUT
RJ45 Over USB Conn.
PowerLED
/Speaker Headers
CD Audio In
HDMI-SPDIF
ATX 12V Power Conn.

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Chapter 2
Hardware Installation
2-1 Install LGA 775 Supported Intel Processor
This motherboard provides a 775-pin surface mount, LGA775 Land Grid Array socket,
referred to as in the 775 Pin package utilizes Flip-Chip Land Grid Array (FC-LGA) package
technology.
The CPU that comes with the motherboard should have a cooling FAN attached to prevent
overheating. If this is not the case, then purchase a correct cooling FAN before you turn on
your system.
WARNING! Be sure that there is sufficient air circulation across the processor’s
heatsink and CPU cooling FAN is working correctly, otherwise it may
cause the processor and motherboard overheat and damage, you may install
an auxiliary cooling FAN, if necessary.
To install a CPU, first turn off your system and remove its cover. Locate the LGA775
socket and open it by first pulling the level sideways away from the socket then upward to a
90-degree angle. Insert the CPU with the correct orientation as shown below. The notched
corner should point toward the end of the level. Because the CPU has a corner pin for two
of the four corners, the CPU will only fit in the orientation as shown.
CPU LGA775 Socket
Colden Arrow
LGA775

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2-2 Install Memory
This motherboard provides two 240-pin DDR2 DUAL INLINE MEMORY MODULES
(DIMM) socket for DDR2 memory expansion available from minimum memory volume of
128MB to maximum memory volume of 4GB DDR2 SDRAM.
Valid Memory Configurations
Bank 240-Pin DIMM PCS Total Memory
Bank 0, 1 (DIMM1) DDR2 400/ 533 DDR DRAM Module X1 128MB∼2 GB
Bank 2, 3 (DIMM2) DDR2 400/ 533 DDR DRAM Module X1 128MB∼2 GB
Total Memory (Max. 4 GB) 2 128MB∼4 GB
Recommend DIMM Module Combination
1. One DIMM Module ----Plug in DIMM1
2. Two DIMM Modules---Plug in DIMM1 and DIMM2 for Dual channel function
For Dual channel Limited!
3. Dual channel function only supports when 2 DIMM Modules plug in either both DIMM1 &
DIMM2
4. DIMM1 & DIMM2 must be the same type, same size, and same frequency for dual channel
function.
Install DDR2 SDRAM modules to your motherboard is not difficult, you can refer to figure
below to see how to install a 240-Pin DDR2 400/DDR2 533/DDR2 667 SDRAM module.

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NOTE! When you install DIMM module fully into the DIMM socket the eject tab
should be locked into the DIMM module very firmly and fit into its
indention on both sides.
2-3 Expansion Cards
The 946GZ motherboard series offer one PCI-Express x16 graphics slot of 4Gbyte/sec data
transfer rate at each relative direction which gets 3.5 times of bandwidth more than AGP 8X
and it’s up to a peak concurrent bandwidth of 8Gbyte/sec at full speed to guarantee the
ultimate GPU computing performance. Two 32-bit PCI slots guarantee the rich connectivity
for the I/O of peripherals. The motherboards are designed of tackling the profuse multimedia
requirements nowadays..
PE1 / PCI-E x16 Slot
32-bit PCI Slot

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Chapter 3
Connectors, Headers & Jumpers Setting
3-1 Connectors
(1) Power Connector (24-pin block) : ATXPWR
ATX Power Supply connector: This is a new defined 24-pins connector that usually
comes with ATX case. The ATX Power Supply allows using soft power on momentary
switch that connect from the front panel switch to 2-pins Power On jumper pole on the
motherboard. When the power switch on the back of the ATX power supply turned on,
the full power will not come into the system board until the front panel switch is
momentarily pressed. Press this switch again will turn off the power to the system
board.
** We recommend that you use an ATX 12V Specification 2.0-compliant power supply
unit (PSU) with a minimum of 350W power rating. This type has 24-pin and 4-pin
power plugs.
** If you intend to use a PSU with 20-pin and 4-pin power plugs, make sure that the 20-pin
power plug can provide at least 15A on +12V and the power supply unit has a minimum
power rating of 350W. The system may become unstable or may not boot up if the
power is inadequate.
(2) ATX 12V Power Connector (4-pin block) : ATX12V
This is a new defined 4-pins connector that usually comes with ATX Power Supply.
The ATX Power Supply which fully supports AM2 processor must including this
connector for support extra 12V voltage to maintain system power consumption.
Without this connector might cause system unstable because the power supply can not
provide sufficient current for system.

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(3) PS/2 Mouse & PS/2 Keyboard Connector: KB1
The connectors are for PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 Mouse.
(4) USB Port connector: USB1, UL1
The connectors are 4-pin connectors that connect USB devices to the system board.
(5) LAN Port connector: UL1
This connector is standard RJ45 connector for Network
The USBLAN1 support 10M/100M bps or 10M/100M bps data transfer rate。
(6) Audio Line-In, Lin-Out, MIC: AUDIO1
This Connector are 6 phone Jack for LINE-OUT, LINE-IN, MIC.
Line-out : (GREEN) Audio output to speaker
Line-in : (BLUE) Audio input to sound chip
MIC : (PINK) Microphone Connector
(7) Floppy drive Connector (34-pin block): Floppy
This connector supports the provided floppy drive ribbon cable. After connecting the
single plug end to motherboard, connect the two plugs at other end to the floppy drives.
(8)Primary IDE Connector (40-pin block): IDE
This connector connects to the next set of Master and Slave hard disks. Follow the
same procedure described for the primary IDE connector. You may also configure two
hard disks to be both Masters using one ribbon cable on the primary IDE connector and
another ribbon cable on the secondary IDE connector.
Floppy Drive Connector
Pin 1
FDD
UL2
PS/2
Mouse USB1
PS/2
Keyboard
Line-IN
Line-OUT
MIC-IN
VGA
COM

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Primary IDE Connector
Pin 1
IDE1
IDE1
•Two hard disks can be connected to each connector. The first HDD is referred to as the
“Master” and the second HDD is referred to as the “Slave”.
•For performance issues, we strongly suggest you don’t install a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
drive on the same IDE channel as a hard disk. Otherwise, the system performance on this
channel may drop.
(9) Serial-ATA Port connector:
SATA1 / SATA2 / SATA3/ SATA4
These connectors support the provided Serial ATA and Serial ATA2 IDE hard disk cable to
connecting the motherboard and serial ATA hard disk.
(10)Serial COM Port: COM1
COM1 is a 9-pin RS232 connector.
(11) VGA Connector (15-pin D-Sub) Connector: VGA
VGA is the 15-pin D-Subminiature female connector for display monitor.
Serial-ATA1 & 2 Compatible Connectors
SATA2
SATA1
SATA4
SATA3

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3-2 Headers
(1) Line-Out/MIC Header for Front Panel (9-pin): AUDIO
This header connect to Front Panel Line-out, MIC connector with cable.
(2) USB Port Headers (9-pin) : USB2 / USB3
These headers are used for connecting the additional USB port plug. By attaching an
option USB cable, your can be provided with two additional USB plugs affixed to the
back panel.
(3) Speaker connector: SPEAK
This 4-pin connector connects to the case-mounted speaker. See the figure below.
(4) Power LED: PWR LED
The Power LED is light on while the system power is on. Connect the Power LED
from the system case to this pin.
(5) IDE Activity LED: IDE LED
This connector connects to the hard disk activity indicator light on the case.
(6) Reset switch lead: RESET
This 2-pin connector connects to the case-mounted reset switch for rebooting your
computer without having to turn off your power switch. This is a preferred method of
rebooting in order to prolong the lift of the system’s power supply. See the figure
below.
USB Port Headers
Pin1
USB2
VCC
-DATA
GND
+DATA
VCC
OC
-DATA
GND
+DATA
Pin1
USB3
VCC
-DATA
GND
+DATA
VCC
OC
-DATA
GND
+DATA
Line-Out, MIC Headers
AUDIO
Pin 1
AUD-Lineout2-L
AUD-MIC-R
AUD-Lineout2-R
SENSE-SEND
GND
SENSE2-RETUR
PRESENCE
2
9
10
KEY
AUD-MIC-L
SENSE1-RETURN

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(7) Power switch: PWR BTN
This 2-pin connector connects to the case-mounted power switch to power ON/OFF the
system.
(8) FAN Power Headers: SYSFAN1, SYSFAN2 (3-pin), CPUFAN (4-pin)
These connectors support cooling fans of 350mA (4.2 Watts) or less, depending on the fan
manufacturer, the wire and plug may be different. The red wire should be positive, while the
black should be ground. Connect the fan’s plug to the board taking into consideration the
polarity of connector.
(9) CD Audio-In Headers (4-pin) : CDIN
CDIN are the connectors for CD-Audio Input signal. Please connect it to CD-ROM
CD-Audio output connector.
System Case Connections
HDLED
RESET
VCC5
GND
VCC5 PWR LED
PWRBTN
PWRBTN
PWRLED
HDDLE
RSTSW
NC GND
JW FP
Pin 1
SPEAK
SPKR
GND
NC
VCC5
Pin 1
PWRLED
Pin 1
CD Audio-In Headers
CDIN 4 1
SYSFAN2
13
3
CPUFAN
SYSFAN1
1
4
1

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(10)Parallel Port header (25-pin): PARALLEL1
The onboard parallel port header is a 25-pin connector for connecting devices such as
old-fashioned printer.
(11) SPDIF Out header: HDMI_SPDIF
The SPDIF output is capable of providing digital audio to external speakers or compressed
AC3 data to an external Dolby digital decoder. Use this feature only when your stereo system
has digital input function.
、
Pin 1
PARALLEL Connector
1 2
HDMI_SPDIF_OUT GND
SPDIF

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3-3 Jumper Setting
(1) CMOS RAM Clear (3-pin) : JBAT
A battery must be used to retain the motherboard configuration in CMOS RAM short 1-2
pins of JBAT to store the CMOS data.
To clear the CMOS, follow the procedure below:
1. Turn off the system and unplug the AC power
2. Remove ATX power cable from ATX power connector
3. Locate JBAT and short pins 2-3 for a few seconds
4. Return JBAT to its normal setting by shorting pins 1-2
5. Connect ATX power cable back to ATX power connector
Note: When should clear CMOS
1. Troubleshooting
2. Forget password
3. After over clocking system boot fail
CMOS RAM Clear Setting
2-3 Closed Clear CMOS
JBATJBAT
1-2 Closed Normal
(2) Keyboard /Mouse function Enabled/Disabled: JP1
Keyboard/Mouse Power On Setting
2-3 Closed KB/MS Power ON Enabled
JP1
JP1
1-2 Closed KB/MS Power ON Disable (Default)

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Chapter 4
USEFUL HELP
4-1 HOW TO UPDATE BIOS
Before updating the BIOS, users have to check if the “Miscellaneous Control” of BIOS SETUP has
the “Flash Part Write Protect” selection. If there is one, users have to “Disable” the “Flash Part Write
Protect” selection of the “Miscellaneous Control” in BIOS SETUP. Otherwise the system the will
not allow you to upgrade BIOS by Award Flash Utility. If there is no such selection, users can follow
the 4 steps directly to update BIOS.
STEP 1. Prepare a boot disc. (You may make one by click START click RUN type SYS A: click
OK)
STEP 2. Copy utility program to your boot disc. You may copy from DRIVER CD
X:\FLASH\AWDFLASH.EXE or download from our web site.
STEP 3. Download and make a copy of the latest BIOS for 946GZ motherboard series from the web
site to your boot disc.
STEP 4. Insert your boot disc into A:,
Start the computer, type “Awdflash A:\xxxxxx.BIN /SN/PY/CD/CH/WB/CC/R”
xxxxxx.BIN is the file name of latest BIOS
SN means don’t save existing BIOS data
PY means renew existing BIOS data
CD means clear DMI data after programming
CH means updateHOLE
WB means always programming BootBlock
CC means clear existing CMOS data
R means restart computer
STEP 5. Type ENTER to update and flash the BIOS, then the system will restart automatically.
4-2 Trouble Shooting
Problem Solution
No power to the system to the all power light
don’t illuminate, fan inside power supply
doesn’t turn on.
1. Make sure power cable is security plugged in.
2. Replace cable. 3. Contact technical support.
System inoperative. Keyboard lights are on ,
power indicator lights are lit, and hard drive
is spinning.
Using ever pressure on both ends of the
DIMM , press down firmly until the module
snaps into places.
System doesn’t boot from hard disk drive,
can be booted from optical drive. 1. Check cable running from disk to disk controller board. .Make sure both ends are
securely plugged in, check the drive type in the
standard CMOS setup. 2. Backing up the hard
drive is extremely important .All hard disks are
capable of breaking down at any time.
System only boots from optical drive .Hard
disk can be read and applications can be used
but booting from hard disk is impossible.
1. Back up date and applications files. 2.
Reformat the hard drive. Reinstall applications
and date using backup disks.
Screen message says “Invalid Configuration”
or “CMOS Failure” Review system ‘s equipment .Make sure correct information on is in setup.
Can not boot system after installing second
hard drive. 1. Set master /slave jumpers correctly. 2. Run SETUP program and select correct drive types.
Call the drive manufacture for compatibility
with other drives.